The showy crown of the drunkards of Ephraim

Monday, October 9

He will crush your head, and you will strike him in the heel.—Gen. 3:15.

Abel likely gave much thought to that promise and realized that someone would be ‘struck in the heel’ so that mankind could be lifted to perfection such as that enjoyed by Adam and Eve before they sinned. Abel had faith based on God’s promise, and Jehovah therefore accepted his sacrifice. Noah survived the Deluge because of his faith. After the Flood, he was moved by faith to offer animal sacrifices. Like Abel, he undoubtedly had faith that mankind would eventually be released from bondage to sin and death. As he entered the dark post-Flood era during which Nimrod acted in opposition to Jehovah, Noah still had faith and hope. Very likely, he would have been heartened to think about mankind as being set free from oppressive rule, inherited sin, and death. We too can “see” such a wonderful time—and it is near indeed!—

Faith is the key that opens the door. No question about it. Abel had it. So did Noah. In his letter to the Hebrews Paul recounted many acts of faith on the part of those who lived before Jesus. The question is whether we have a similar kind of faith.

The Watchtower article upon which the text is based exhorts us to picture ourselves in the new world. Using our imagination to visualize ourselves in the future is a mental exercise that makes the new world more real. And our faith assures us that someday the new world will be a reality. (I posted an article some years ago encouraging others to imagine paradise.)

But longing for better times, yes, hoping even for the paradise that Jesus promised to the thief, does not necessarily mean we have faith. The problem for Jehovah’s Witnesses is that our faith is inextricably bound up with the Watchtower. How could it be otherwise? And due to some rather creative interpretation of prophecy, the Watchtower has effectively placed itself as the very Kingdom of God in the minds of the faithful.

As an example, take the prophecy in the 2nd chapter of Isaiah, which states: “In the final part of the days, the mountain of the house of Jehovah will become firmly established above the top of the mountains, and it will be raised up above the hills, and to it all the nations will stream. And many peoples will go and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of Jehovah, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will instruct us about his ways, and we will walk in his paths.’ For law will go out of Zion, and the word of Jehovah out of Jerusalem.”

Jehovah’s Witnesses are convinced that the final part of the days began in 1914. That is when Christ is believed to have begun ruling. And the elevation of the mountain of the house of Jehovah and the nations streaming to it is believed to be fulfilled in the numerical growth of Jehovah’s Witnesses. The law and instruction that comes from Jehovah is expressed through the visible organization. In that way the Watchtower publishing corporation has become inseparable from the Kingdom of God —at least in the minds of faithful Jehovah’s Witnesses.And therein lies the problem.

It is problematic now, in that, when JW’s, or even persons who are just studying, are confronted with the Watchtower’s errors or on a more personal level, perhaps experience unkindnesses on the part of brothers and sisters, or even elders, then they may be stumbled. It becomes irreconcilable to them how the Kingdom of God could be thus and so. So, they are stumbled in their faith.

But the real stumbling block —at least potentially, is the fact that the entire 1914 thing is a sham. Christ did not in any way begin ruling over the world a century ago. The last days, or final part of the days, or time of the end, or conclusion of the system of things —whatever you choose to call it —has not begun. When it does you’ll know it. You won’t have to do any calculations, counting the years from 607 or whatever. The conclusion will be marked by wars, famines and pestilence on a scale never before seen —certainly far surpassing the horrors of the First World War and Spanish Influenza.

Of course, there is inevitably a sense of betrayal —and rightly so. The Watchtower has betrayed our trust. Just think how the Danish brothers and sisters will react when it comes to their attention that their outdoor assembly hall is really dedicated to the one-eyed demon god, Horus. No doubt those who have attended conventions there —maybe even being baptized in the eye of Horus —will be horrified at the treachery perpetrated against them. But it is wise to keep things in perspective. It is not primarily we who have been betrayed. Jehovah and Christ have been betrayed foremost. After all, they have not apostatized against us. It is Jehovah whom they have intentionally offended.

Some meek and kindly Jehovah’s Witnesses may believe me to be the apostate —or at least judge me to be much too harsh in my condemnation of the Watchtower. But I do not seek agreement with anyone or the approval of any human. My purpose has always been to announce Jehovah’s judgments —and if possible, bolster your faith in the word of God.

But whether anyone listens to me or not does not matter to me. I am absolutely certain at some point I will be proven to have been right. And as Jehovah said of Ezekiel, I lay claim to these words: “As for them, whether they listen or refuse to listen—for they are a rebellious house —they will certainly know that a prophet was among them.”

The Watchtower knows me. They know my message. I have distributed dozens of books and brochures among them over the years and mailed many thousands of letters to the elders at large. Too bad for the Governing Body that they will never humble themselves before Christ —not willingly anyway. On the contrary, just this past weekend they congratulated themselves for having built a magnificent corporate headquarters to rival the likes of any successful worldly corporation. What a showy display it is! And as new light they apparently have revealed that it is now okay, again, to refer to the vindication of Jehovah’s name.

Someone also brought it to my attention that a speaker at the annual meeting speculated that Jehovah would likely preserve the new world headquarters building through the battle of Armageddon.

How apt —Jehovah’s description of “the showy crown of the drunkards of Ephraim and the fading blossom of its glorious beauty, which is on the head of the fertile valley of those overcome with wine!”

While they have constructed a palatial residence for themselves, as if a showy crown for royal kings, the glory of the organization is indeed like a fading blossom. Evidently there is a full scale exodus underway with more than a half million fewer publishers now than a year ago. While the Governing Body have always boasted of the growth of the organization as proof of God’s blessing and fulfillment of Isaiah regarding the nations streaming in —what do the rapidly declining numbers indicate? Why is the Watchtower shuttering kingdom halls, selling them off and disbanding dwindling congregations? The bloom is off and there is nothing the drunkards can do about it, except stop publishing the yearbook. Eventually, they will have a sobering lesson to learn –Jehovah is not their corporate mascot.

Sadly, we can expect many to be stumbled going forward. But it doesn’t have to be that way. We can go forward in the truth —we must go forward in faith, even if all others fall away. Or are we mere followers of men after all?

1john41Thank you Moreau for your input but I am just looking to hear Robert's answers at the moment. He has been answering my questions clear and to the point and that is what I need in order to arrive at a conclusion on a couple of subjects. Your reply answer neither of my two questions.

JTKok Robert thank you, then there must be a difference between the "shut down" of the calling to be brothers of Christ i.e the Christian ministry and the angel that declares to those on the earth to fear God and worship Him
i suggest that scripture has priority for the calling for the anointed, followed by a final gospel for others who live at the time that the 8th king rules, or why would the angel...

Dr. Moreau (aka DΣαd Δl¡€π)U.N.- that is speculated. time will tell. (Rev 17:12). the KOTN is the City of London of Britain. that is why the Iron & Clay are a Anglo-American dual world power. north fudalism, south republicanism. a single two horned beast that looks like a lamb. when their wicked system comes out of its death-stroke then they, speaking as a dragon, will renew a final 8th king.
the king of the north is a...

FrankHi Robert: I enjoyed your article very much. There is so much in geo-politics that needs to be understood in order to understand the prophecies that deal with that very geo-politics. This is where the Watchtower falls so very short in their understandings. As you mentioned, being apolitical does not mean you can be politically ignorant and still understand the prophecies dealing with these last...

Burt ReynoldsWith all the interest from these trillions of government loans, what is the interest money spent on? One might also ask, where do these trilllions come from? If it is all debt repayments, is there any real wealth supporting it...or is it just paper? Is the debt imaginary and the real wealth simply control and power? Is this also what the watchtower is doing, keeping the brothers in debt for their hall...

Robert KingThe hour of judgment begins after the collapse of the system, when the last king arises. However, the book of Joel reveals that prior to the day of Jehovah the Christian ministry is shut down and the harvest lost.

Dr. Moreau (aka DΣαd Δl¡€π)think about the work and dedication these two guys do just to help others understand the Bible. although not 100% accurate, which is expected and neither is the WT, they are not from the Watchtower organization.

Dr. Moreau (aka DΣαd Δl¡€π)the Governing Body members are "stuipd" just as Jehovah said.
bunch of idiots.
there are FIVE TOTAL materials in the image of empires, not 5 plus a extra two, the U.S.S.R then Russia. obviously the Iron & Clay are the end final kings of the north & south Anglo-American dual world power. what exactly to the GB govern? they mislead people and cause sickness and poverty among Jehovah's sheep

JTKOnce Jehovahs day begins there is no accomodation for repentance you suggest Robert, i agree however if Jehovahs day begins before the ascendency of the eighth king then how can the angel declare the scripture i quoted earlier? note this is about the receiving of the mark as opposed to the fearing and worshiping of God , the mark is an exclusive event under the rule of the eighth king is it not so if...

1john41Thank you for answering about Jesus on having only a second coming and not a third. Now can you please answer the following: [Daniel 11: 32 “And those who are acting wickedly against the covenant, he will lead into apostasy by means of smooth words. But as regards the people who are knowing their God, they will prevail and act effectively. 33 And as regards those having insight among the people,...